ASET Critical Thinking 3

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the 'straw man' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack

Answer

Attacking the person rather than their argument

Answer

Using circular logic to support a claim

Answer

Appealing to authority without evidence

Question 2

What is the purpose of identifying the main assumption in an argument?

Accepted Answer

To determine whether the argument would collapse if the assumption were false

Answer

To restate the conclusion in different words

Answer

To find supporting evidence more easily

Answer

To simplify the argument for general audiences

Question 3

Which of the following weakens the argument that 'standardized tests are the best measure of student ability'?

Accepted Answer

Research shows standardized tests favor students with access to expensive test prep

Answer

Some students perform well on both standardized tests and coursework

Answer

Standardized tests are widely used in college admissions

Answer

Tests are administered under controlled conditions

Question 4

When an argument appeals to popularity ('Everyone believes X, so X must be true'), what fallacy is being committed?

Accepted Answer

Ad populum

Answer

Ad hominem

Answer

Non sequitur

Answer

Post hoc

Question 5

A student argues: 'We improved our study schedule, and our grades went up, so the new schedule caused the improvement.' What fallacy might this be?

Accepted Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer

Ad hominem

Answer

False analogy

Answer

Slippery slope

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

All mammals breathe air; dolphins are mammals; therefore dolphins breathe air

Answer

Most birds fly; this animal flies; therefore it is probably a bird

Answer

We have seen five white swans; all swans must be white

Answer

The last three tests were hard; the next test will probably be hard